hired gun
A person who is employed to advance the interests of their employer, especially in a vigorous manner using such methods as political lobbying, legal advocacy, or persuasion.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The company hired a gun to win the legal battle.”
“The politician brought in a hired gun to manage his public image and attack his opponent's record during the campaign.”
“The corporation deployed a seasoned hired gun to navigate the complex regulatory landscape and ensure the merger proceeded without further legislative interference.”
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big gun
A person, group, thing, or course of action that is powerful, influential, or particularly effective.
- 02
eat one's gun
To commit suicide, especially by use of a firearm discharged into the victim's mouth.
- 03
fire the starting gun
To launch or trigger an event or situation.
- 04
give it the gun
To cause a specific vehicle to accelerate; to open the throttle of an engine.
- 05
go great guns
To perform particularly well; to be particularly successful.
- 06
gun jumping
An act or instance of jumping the gun.
- 07
guns blazing
With much force or bravado.
- 08
hired muscle
Person who is hired or asked to perform tasks or duties requiring physical strength.
Last updated August 10, 2026